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Beyond the pale

Last Tuesday Kathy Griffin (an American comedian) posted a video of herself holding a fake, bloodied, decapitated Donald Trump head. But much as I detest him (and his cohorts) and everything they’ve said, done and stand for, I did not find it at all amusing.

Frankly, I’ve never been a fan of hers. I don’t find her particular brand of humour even remotely funny. Definitely not my cup of tea.

With this video, however, she outdid herself; and I’m not only not surprised at all the backlash, I support it. She crossed the line.

Regardless of what you think of Trump, regardless of whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, regardless of how bad his behaviour is, regardless of his potty mouth, lies, accusations, insults, bullying, threats and dishonesty, what Kathy Griffin did was just not acceptable.

Especially as we live in a world where the beheading of innocent men is all too common. When ISIS proudly uses videos of their heinous acts as both recruiting tools and as threats and reminders to all of us, of just what they are capable of doing.

Yes, we must speak out against Trump and Company.

Yes, we must investigate.

Yes we must make him, and the rest of the bad guys (on both sides of the aisle) accountable for their missteps and misdeeds.

Yes we must take action.

Yes we must resist and fight back and hold on to our principles.

But this is not the way to do it. It doesn’t matter that Donald Trump (and others) get away with all the vile, vulgar, tasteless, inflammatory and dangerous things they do. That is not a valid reason or excuse for stooping to their level.

As my parents drilled into my from the time I was a young child, “two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Sometimes I think she’s funny; sometimes not. But clearly you are right. She crossed the line. It bothers me not only for all the reasons you mentioned but also because it boosts the arsenal for Trump supporters. That’s always a bad thing.

That’s a very good point you make about it boosting the arsenal for Trump supporters — which is the very last thing anyone should be doing. It also turned him from the villain he is to the poor victim. Wasn’t just tasteless it was diabolically stupid.

Yep. It seems Trump’s ongoing dysfunction is permeating through society, leading to a range of extreme behaviors. Those who were funny push comedy over the limits. Those who were sad in general are downright depressed. People like me who avoided discussing politics publicly, are now expressing controversial opinions on the internet.

Yeah, not my brand of funny either but she’s one of those comedians who pushes the envelop. Never liked Don Rickles either. I support her freedom to do it even if it seems counter productive. He will never be a victim in my eyes. Unfortunately I remember all the (not to veiled) threats he made to his opponents.

I remember his threats too; and how he’s incited violence at his rallies. And I value freedom of speech — not only for Kathy Griffin, but for all of us. But the way to condemn his actions is not through your own reprehensible actions, that just defeats the purpose. Even if I don’t like her brand if humour, she is (was) someone with a following, someone with influence, and with that comes a responsibility. She not only squandered an opportunity, she set a terrible example.